Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 10-08-19

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS SHIP REGISTRY SMALL DROP

[02] POSTAGE STAMPS CYPRUS 50TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

[03] EUROPEA LEAGUE PLAY OFFS - CYPRIOT TEAMS

[01] CYPRUS SHIP REGISTRY SMALL DROP

According to statistical data from the Department of Merchant Shipping (DMS), the number of registered ships was 1843 up until June 30, thirteen vessels less, compared to the total number of Cyprus-flagged vessels in 2009.

A small decline is also being recorded in the ships gross tonnage, from approximately 21.7 million registered tons in 2009 to 21.6 million during the first semester of 2010.

In particular, the number and tonnage of big-type vessels presents both increases and decreases, when compared to data from 2009. The number of tankers and chemical tankers, as well as the tonnage of bulk carriers presents a marginal increase. In contrast, there is a slight decline in the number of oil tankers, container ships and general cargo ships.

Equally small is the decline recorded in small-type vessels, such as pleasure crafts and motor yachts, while the opposite is true for sailing yachts.

When it comes to marine accidents, the last available data for 2009 show an increase compared to 2007 and 2008, luckily without any loss of life.

In particular, 119 accidents were recorded in 2009, which resulted in the injuries of 33 people. One of these accidents has been characterized as very serious by the DMS, 13 other accidents have been labeled as serious and the rest were considered to be minor accidents. In 2007, there were 57 marine accidents, according to DMS statistics, while the death toll had risen to three people. Moreover, during the same year, three vessels were declared total loss.

In 2006, the total number of accidents was even higher, counting 63 cases. This was also the worst year in terms of human loss. Ten crewmembers died and one vessel was written off. Between 2001 and 2007, the Cyprus ship registry marked the lowest number of accidents in 2004, with only 29 accidents, although four people died as a result. In 2008, the number of accidents rose to 70.

The increase in the number of accidents in 2009, as compared to the previous year, is partly due to the different method of recording accidents. Before 2009, many minor accidents were recorded in a separate list as simple incidents. As of 2009, all accidents are recorded under the same list.

Moreover, the list contains, since July 1, 2008, all accidents involving small boats, something that was not the case in the past.

[02] POSTAGE STAMPS CYPRUS 50TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

ิhe countrys first President, important landmarks in its political history, significant milestones in the countrys journey through the past five decades, flora and fauna, the arts, Cypriot culture and traditions have all been illustrated on postage stamps which, during the pre-internet era, acted as Cyprus ambassadors to the world, telling everybody that the Republic of Cyprus is an independent state since 1960, a member of the United Nations and since 2004 of the European Union.

The Department of Postal Services has decided to issue a new series of postage stamps that depict aspects of Cypriot history and convey it to the world to mark the 50th anniversary since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus Post will issue soon a collector`s album, entitled Cyprus through the ages, which will contain 32 stamps that will reflect on historical moments, as well as present evidence from the millennia-long history of Cyprus.

As Andreas Gregoriou, Director of the Department of Postal Services, puts it in an interview with CNA, the anniversary edition will contain previous stamp series, from 2007 to 2009, as well as a new series, due to be issued on October 1, 2010.

[03] EUROPEA LEAGUE PLAY OFFS - CYPRIOT TEAMS

There are two legs in the play off round. The first legs are to be played on Thursday, 19 August (two matches played on 17 August), and the second legs are to be played on 26 August 2010 (one match played on 24 August).

Cyprus Anorthosis is facing CSKA Moscow in the Russian capital, while Omonia will host Metalist Kharkiv of Ukraine; APOEL is facing Getafe in Madrid later this evening.

Cyprus News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article